What condition is characterized by an excessive amount of tissue fluid in the body?

The condition characterized by an excessive amount of tissue fluid in the body is edema. Edema occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the interstitial spaces, leading to swelling in various parts of the body. This can happen due to several factors, including increased capillary permeability, decreased oncotic pressure, or obstruction to lymphatic drainage.

In contrast, inflammation refers to the body's response to injury or infection and may include edema as one of its symptoms, but it is not solely defined by tissue fluid accumulation. Neoplasm refers to an abnormal growth of tissue, which can be benign or malignant, and does not inherently indicate fluid accumulation. Fibrosis is the thickening and scarring of connective tissue, often resulting from injury or long-term inflammation, but it does not specifically describe the presence of excessive fluid. Therefore, edema is the term that directly corresponds to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues.